Gator Hunt 8/24/2015

Gator Hunt 8/24/2015

After Scouting for a good place to go gator hunting to use my Quota Permits, we found a good place.

I called Brent "Red Daddy" Bob ( FishingFools ) Son to see if he wanted to experience an Airboat ride and a Gator Hunt on the water... of course he said sure...

He showed up at my house early around 3:30 PM and we headed out to happy hunting grounds... We were taking up a storm and we past our exit and to turn around we needed to go an extra 17 mile each way LOL

That was OK, we left early and had some time to spare LOL Stopped at Old McDonalds form for some burgers…

and Got to the ramp where Member Jim was waiting for us with his Air boat, and after we packed up our gear we headed out to the Gator Grounds where they were waiting for us...

We took the long Air Boat ride to our Gator Hunting Spot, and we hung around till it got dark, and before long we were waiting to see which would be the lucky Gator to get invited one for supper....

We has a lucky winner come along, although not the biggest out there, we decided to get the Skunk out of the boat and get some Gator Tail in the boat...

Brent was in the action holding the flashlight as I used a treble snag hook to hook the gator, then as we pulled it to the Air Boat, Jim holding the snag line as I was waiting for it to line up for a Harpoon shot, after two trys I harpooned the Gator in the upper shoulder, than reloaded the harpoon for another shot, got another harpoon into the gator and pulled him to the top water where I waited for a shot with the 44 Caliper Bang Stick, it took one shot in the head to make the kill…

I reached down grabbing the Gator over his mouth pulling his head over the side of the Air Boat, than Jim put black tape around its mouth, than Brent grabbed it's left leg helping to pull the gator over the side and onto the Air Boat where we took some photo….

Thanks Jim for offering to take us on his Air Boat, and Brent for coming and assistance with the Gator Hunt… It was a good Club TEAM effort...

Brent on Air Boat


Gator in the water behind Brent


Jim on Air Boat


Gator on Air Boat


Holding head up for photo


Tagging the Gator


Putting in truck for the ride to the processor


Close up shot


Put my buck knife on his mouth for a smiling teeth shot


and another shot


and another shot LOL


I have one more quote permit and will try again soon....

 

Your Welcome Brent it was my pleasure
Cool pics you took

 

Not as large as I would have liked... I was saying I only wanted an 11 footer and larger, but being that it was dark and murky it was miss judged, and was 8ft

So I am going to make sure next trip that we do not get one under 10 foot even if it takes longer... and I have to release one...

I could have had both my tags filled last night but I promised my friend I would take him on the next trip... Just after we had this one, we came across another larger one that took our bait but I did not grapple it...

we seen a few dozen with a mile long stretch...

So we will see how things go next time...

 

I invited you out, and the offer still stands until I fill my tag...

Jim Air boat is well put together from the motor, transmission and prop etc...
We burned just over $50.00 in fuel on this trip along getting to and from the gators hangout... So there was some great Air-boat trail riding involved as you can see in the photos... The photos are our memories... Right Brent?

We did have a great swamp adventure.. and I like getting others involved on and off the waters if all possible.. That's one of the reasons I formed our club.

Pat I caught a few gators in my time, and eat others, yes the 8 footers and smaller are great... I will be giving some meat away and cooking some up for others... may have a get together and Game Fest cook out? Venison and Gator etc...

Just want the next one to be a monster if possible... (wishing) But I would be satisfied with anything over 10 foot...

Let me know if your available to go?

 

Thanks

I like to lead the forum by example, so I enjoy getting out and doing not just saying. and that is what makes our Club and Forum great... We are a Club where ALL members get out and enjoy there angling sport, we give ALL members the opportunity to become part of our “A-Team” - a network of anglers™.

As I posted on the below link about me.
I try to live up to the hype LOL



QUOTE from the about me page

I believe we are the only ClubNForum™ where the owner actually does all of the sport related activities that our club and forum has to offer...

Growing up on the Ocean just steps outside my front door, I always enjoyed the sport since a youngster... throughout the years... and even today more then ever...

• I fish both inshore and offshore
• have my own inshore and offshore boats
• fish both salt and fresh waters, by boat, seawalls piers, and surf
• shrimp by dip netting, cast netting and by trapping
• dive, snorkel, spearfish, lobster, and crab
• flounder gig and frog gig
• Gator Hunt
• kayak, canoe and air-boats.
• hunt with gun, compound bows and crossbows
• trap
• cast net bait
• seine net bait
• clam and harvest oysters
• windsurf, JetSki, water ski and snow ski
• amongst other sport related activities.

I founded ShrimpNFishFlorida™ mainly because I enjoy my sport and sharing my knowledge by helping others.

 

I'll save you some inner parts like the Brain LOL

 

Thanks, I will be back out this weekend... Selectively looking them over for one over 10ft hopefully since this is my last tag...

There were dozens popping up around us, but its hard to determine the side from a distance, especially when they duck under... Than having to grapple them up to see just the snout... I will need to judge from the shouts size... the body is usually facing down in murky water...

If this does not pan out no problem I will need to wait until the next hunt dates which will start in two weeks....

After that I may be able to arrange for some hog hunting from the air boat if your interested?